Smoke detectors, sprinklers credited with saving pets

Heather Rawlyk

Monday, Sept. 13, 2004 | 9:27 a.m.

Well-maintained smoke detectors and fire sprinklers helped save the lives of about 40 dogs and cats after a fire broke out at the America Dog & Cat Hotel in southeast Las Vegas early Sunday morning, fire officials said.

An employee of the luxury kennel was feeding the animals about 7:15 a.m. when he noticed smoke coming from the second floor of the building, according to Christopher Easley, manager of the America Dog & Cat Hotel.

Soon after, smoke detectors and fire sprinklers went off and firefighters were called, Easley said.

The sprinklers confined the fire to one area on the second floor of the building at 2900 E. Patrick Lane, between Pecos Road and Eastern Avenue, Clark County Fire Department Spokesman Bob Leinbach said.

"Those sprinklers saved those animals," Leinbach said. "If those sprinklers hadn't gone off, I don't think all of the pets would have survived like they did. That facility was well-equipped with working alarms and sprinklers."

Firefighters quickly put out the fire and moved the animals staying on the second floor downstairs, where the air was a little smoky but not dangerous, Leinbach said.

The animals were checked for smoke inhalation, but all of the pets were "fine and healthy," Leinbach said.

"We had pet oxygen masks, but we didn't have to use them," he said. "You always have to worry about animals because they're more sensitive to poisonous gases than humans, but all these guys were in good shape."

While no injuries were reported, the fire caused about $50,000 in smoke and water damages, Leinbach said.

All damage were confined to the second story. The kennel was back in business by late Sunday afternoon.

Fire investigators determined the blaze was caused by an accidental electrical shortage on the second story, Leinbach said.

"We're just glad that all of the pets were okay and no one was hurt," Easley said. "We're really blessed and feel really fortunate."

Because there were no injuries, pet owners were not notified about the fire, Easley said.

The 11,000-square-foot pet hotel offers private doggie suites, equipped with 32-inch color TVs, Oriental rugs, beds and pillows, and three-story kitty condos for its feline guests.